Farm Boys

Jackson's friend, Ben, came over to play on Monday morning while his dad, Michael, and Earl worked on a project to get some of Berry's old chicken fencing structures over to Michael's farm. The boys were playing in the yard when Cliffy, who was home from school for the holiday, came down the hill and said, "Jackson, Daddy needs us to lock the cows in pasture. Hey Ben. You come too!" Jackson ran for his boots, ran out the door and called to me over his shoulder in his all-business voice, "Mama, I'm going to lock the cows in with Cliffy and Ben!" And they were off like a shot. They lost Ben when they passed the shop where Earl and Michael were fixing up the old hay wagon for its new role as chicken fencing transporter, but Cliffy and Jackson ducked under the fence and rounded up the cows and headed them down the lane. They worked like a team of sheepdogs and had everyone going in the right direction in just a few minutes. Then the cows were in the lane and there was nothing to do but follow, watch out for poop, and laugh with your brother.

I watched from the garden and then ran to get my camera. I love this picture because they're working together and it's a lovely day, but mostly I love it because that's not even 100 pounds of kid moving 60,000 lbs. of cow.